Interval timer and indexing combination



Jan. 4, 1955 w, CQREN 2,698,658

INTERVAL TIMER AND INDEXING COMBINATION Filed April 3, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l *lllllik, 3 mmuw II III IN V EN TOR.

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Jan. 4, 1955 L. w. COREN 2,698,653

INTERVAL TIMER AND INDEXING COMBINATION Filed April 5, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

United States Patent INTERh'ALv TIMER-AND INDEXING COMBINATION Lewis W. Caren, Chicago, Ill. Application April 3, 1953, Se'riaLNo. 346,574

Claims. ((1161-) This invention relates to the combination.ofaneinterval timer and an indexing meansfor indicating the .number of intervals timed, and it;is an .object of the. invention to provide improved apparatus'ofithis. character;

Interval timing apparatus ordinarily may comprisea timing motor, a time interval indicatingv dial, and a pointeroperatively connectedto the motor and. disposed to move over the dial. Thepointer'is connected to. the motor by means of a. slip clutch'so that when'the timer is set into operation, by moving the .pointer to the desired time. setting, the motor continues to turn against the movement of the pointer, and when the pointer is released the motor drives the pointerin the reverse direction to zero. The motor ordinarily is of the constant speed type, such for example as a synchronous electric motor, and thusthe interval being timedis that between the final setting of the pointer and the time necessary for the synchronous motor to'drive the pointer to its zero position.

Indexing means ordinarily comprise adial'around the periphery of which numbers from zero to any desired number are disposed. The dial is placed into operative association with the timing pointer so that each setting operation of the timing pointer moves the-indexing dial one position, such movements being cumulative until the indexing dial is reset.

The mechanical connection between the timingpointer and the indexing means in prior'devices has been complicated and has consisted of many parts with consequent high cost of manufacture.

Accordingly, it is a further object of the invention to provide in apparatus of the character indicated an improved operating'mechanism between the interval timer and the indexing means.

It is a further object of the invention to provide improved apparatus of the character indicated which is simple in form, has relatively few operating parts, and is economical to manufacture.

It is a further object of the invention to provide improved apparatus of the character indicated which: is elficient in operation.

It is a further object of the invention to provide'improved apparatus of the character indicated in which the indicating means may be reset at anytime in a simple and eflicient manner.

Further objects andadvantages of'tlie invention'will become apparentas thedescription proceeds.

For a more complete understanding'of the invention reference should be hadto the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure l. is a front elevational view of apparatus embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view taken in the direction of arrows 2-2 of 'Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view. taken inthe direction of arrows 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view'taken line 44 of Figs 2.

Fig. 5 is a topplan view of the apparatus.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken. substantially along the line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

substantially along the Fig. 7 is. a sectional .view taken. substantially along-the.

line,;7-7 of Fig. 6,, and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view takensubstantially,alongthe.

Referring-to. theadrawings, thecinvention. iSeShOWlL switch 36 may be connected to energize'the motor 23 Free embodied in apparatus. lflsincluding aninterval timer: 11 and indexing means 12 The components of the combined apparatus are shown supported in a framework including a pair of spaced apart plates 13 and 14 held together by a series of studs 15. Attached to the front plate 13 is adial-16 upon which a series of numbers 17 are inscribedin acircle thereby forming a scale, and a timing pointer or indicator 18'is mounted upon a shaft 19 so as-to be rotatable over the dial 16 in an indicating position with respect to the series of numbers 17.

The shaft 19 is rotatably mounted in suitable openings or bearings in the plates 13 and 14 and is held in the assembled structure by means of a set screw 21 which engages a portion of reduced diameter atone end thereof. The pointer 18 is held to the other endof shaft 19" by means of a set screw 22, as may be seen' best in Fig. 6. A substantially constant speed driving motor 23, which for example may be of the synchronous electricaltype, is mounted on the rear plate 14and has'its output shaft 24 projecting therethrough, a gear.25-being attached 'toshaft 24 so as to rotate therewith. The shaft 19'," and consequently the pointer 18, is connected in driving relationship with the motor 23 by means of friction'slip' clutch 26, gears 27, 28, 29'and 24, the proper gear reduction being provided the desired speed even though the motor 23operates at a relatively highlspeed. The slip clutch 26 and gear 27 are supported on a stub shaft 31 which is relatively rigidly held to shaft 19, such for example as'bythe set screw 21, as may be seen best in Fig. 6.

The slip clutch 26 may comprise a spring-member 32 having a series of spring fingers 33'disposedaway from the general plane of the spring member and'a friction member, which may be a fiber washer34 for'example, adapted to lie against the rearward surface of gear'27 and to have the fingers 33 bear thereagainst. The gear 27, the fiber washer'34, and the spring member 32' are held together by means of a shoulder at the en'd'of stub shaft 31 and a ring 35 held on the stub shaft by means of a set screw. Whenever the pointer stub shaft 31 turns with it by virtue of the rigid connection formed by 'theset screw 21, and

by virtue of the friction clutch 26 the gear 27 attempts to rotate with stub shaft 31. The gear ratio of the gears 24, 29, 28 and 27 ordinarily is sufficiently high so that the gear27 will not rotate when the pointer 18'is turned direction, the slip clutch 26 making this feasible. However, when the pointer 18 has been set to' any desired position and the motor 23 is energized, thefriction clutchi 26 drivingly connects the'gear 27 and thestub shaft 31, thereby causing the pointer 18 to rotate;

Mounted between plates 13 and 14 there are, for'example, two switches 36 and 37 which may be of the of the slot 43 engages the curved portions .of levers 38 and 39 thereby pivoting these members counterclockwise and causing the micro-switches to function. The microthrough its terminals from a source of energy, not shown, in any well known manner, conductors 44 and 45 and micro-switch terminals 46and 47 being provided for this purpose. The micro-switch 37, being operated by the cam 42, may be used to control any circuit the operating or non-operating time interval of which it is desired to control.

The construction of the slot 43 in the cams and the curved ends of the levers 38 and 39 enables the microswitches to be operated upon a very slight movement of the .pointer18 in the clockwise orxtime interval setting operation (Fig. 1). wise movement of the pointer, .eration, the. levers38 and.39

so that the pointer 18may move at 18 is turned, the

manually in either:

correspondingly upon counterclockas during the tuning opremain in their operative positions by virtue of the circular dwell of the cams until the slot 43 comes opposite the curved ends of the switch arms 38 and 39, whereupon the switch arms are suddenly released and move away under the influence of biasing springs to operate their respective circuits. This occurs precisely when the pointer 18 reaches its zero position, at which instant the motor 23 is suddenly deenergized and the circuit controlled by the micro-switch 37 is deenergized or energized as may be desired.

Mounted so as to be substantially in the same plane as the timing dial 16 is an indexing dial 43, the indexing dial being mounted on a rotatable shaft 59 supported in the plates 13 and 14. The indexing dial is held to shaft 49 so as to rotate therewith, and at the outer end of shaft 49 there is a ratchet gear 51 which is adapted to be engaged by a pawl 52 for effecting movement of the indexing dial whenever the pointer 18 is moved clockwise. The ratchet gear 51, also, is adapted to be engaged by one end of a lever 53 for holding the indexing dial in its indicating position against the force of a biasin spring 54, which for example may be disposed around shaft 49. A stop 55 is provided on plate 14 and an arm 56 adapted to engage stop 55 is attached to shaft 49 by means of a sleeve 57 and a set screw. The arm 56 is so disposed that when it engages the stop 55, the indexing dial 48 is in the zero position as shown in Fig. 1.

The pawl 52 is pivotally mounted on an arm 58 which, in turn, is attached to stub shaft 31 by means of a sleeve 59 and set screw, the pawl being biased by a spring 61 to move counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 7. A stop 62 is provided on arm 58 against which the far end of the pawl 52 is adapted to bear under the biasing force of spring 61.

The lever 53 or detent at one end 63 is pivoted to the plate 14 and at its other end is provided with a bar 64 which is adapted to engage the underside of the teeth on ratchet gear 51. The lever 53 is biased clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 3, by means of a spring 65 thereby causing the bar 64 to engage the underside of the teeth of ratchet gear 51 and forming a detent holding the ratchet gear and the indexing dial in any set position.

With the foregoing structure in mind, the operation of the device as thus far described may now be under stood and summarized as follows: Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 3, rotation clockwise of pointer 18 (viewed in Fig. 1) a small amount, for example, less than one division of scale 17, will cause the closing of micro-switch 36 to energize motor 23 and will cause the pawl 52 to engage one tooth of the ratchet gear 51 and to move it clockwise (as viewed in Fig. 3). This move ment of pointer 18, when continued for a predetermined distance beyond the first division of scale 17 as determined by the construction, moves arm 58 and pawl 52 to the position shown by the dot-dash line in Fig. 3. The resultant movement of the ratchet gear pivots the lever 53 counterclockwise to the dotted line position (Fig. 3) by virtue of the engagement of bar 64 with the upper surface of the appurtenant tooth of ratchet gear 51 until the indexing dial 48 has moved to its next position, whereupon the appurtenant tooth of the ratchet gear has moved sufficiently far so that the bar 64 is re leased by the appurtenant tooth of the ratchet gear and lever 53 has again pivoted clockwise to the position shown in solid lines (Fig. 3) under the influence of spring 65.

When the indexing dial has been moved to its next position, for example, to the first position with the numeral 1 at the top, if the dial was at the zero position, the pointer 18 will be at some point beyond the time setting desired of one scale division. It is only necessary to turn the pointer hack to the desired time setting.

Movement of the points 18, and consequently of the arm 58 and pawl 52, irrespective of amount, does not move the indexing dial 48 beyond the No. 1 position for the first time setting since the pawl 52 moves away from the appurtenant tooth of ratchet gear 51. Under the influence of motor 23, which is operating, the pointer 18 now moves counterclockwise (viewed in Fig. 1) until it reaches its zero position. At this point, the micro-switch 36 causes deenergization of motor 23, and the arm 58 and the pawl 52 have moved clockwise (Fig. 3) from the dot-dash line positions to the solid line positions shown, the pawl 52 pivoting against the biasing spring 61 to permit the pawl to move underneath the now appurtenant tooth of ratch gear 51. Subsequent movements of the timing indicator 18 will cause the indexing dial 48 to move one position for each operation of the pointer and the various parts will function as described.

To reset the indexing dial 48 to its zero position, the pointer 18 is moved counterclockwise (Fig. l) to engage the pin 68. This movement causes an arm 66 attached to the arm 58 to rotate clockwise (Fig. 3) to the position shown by the dotted lines. In this position the end of arm 66 engages an abutment 67 provided on lever 53 and cams the lever 53 counterclockwise (Fig. 3) to the position shown by the dotted lines. In this position of arm 66, the arm 58 and the pawl 52 occupy the position shown by the dotted lines and the pawl 52 is consequently completely removed from the teeth of ratchet gear 51. In the dotted line position of lever 53, the bar 64 is completely away from the teeth of ratchet gear 51. There is now no structure preventing rearward movement of the ratchet gear 51 and consequently, under the influence of the biasing spring 54, the ratchet gear and the indexing dial move to the zero position at which the arm 56 abuts the stop 55. The counting of the timing operations with the indexing dial 48 may now begin anew.

While the mechanical resetting mechanism illustrated is the preferred form, other forms may be used, such, for example, as solenoid devices.

The pin 68 projects outwardly from dial 16 a sulficient distance so as to be engageable by the pointer 18, thereby preventing movement thereof beyond desired imits.

When the pointer 18 moves from any time setting to zero, the arm 58 moves underneath the lowermost tooth of ratchet gear 51. This movement is permitted since the pawl 52 is pivotally mounted and when the rear surface of the pawl engages the underside of the lowermost tooth, the pawl is pivoted counterclockwise against the force of spring 61, whereby the pawl moves downwardly and out of the way of the lowermost tooth.

The pawl 52, the arm 66, the lever 53 and the ratchet gear 51, together with other functional parts, form a simple and efficient operating and resetting connection between the timing pointer 18 and the indexing dial 488.

The operation of the device is positive since the pawl 52 engages the teeth of ratchet gear 51 directly, and by proper shape and size of the teeth of the ratchet gear the indexing dial 48 is correctly moved one position for each operation of the pointer 18 even though the time setting may be for a very short time interval as effected by a very small movement of the indicator 18. The arms 58 and 66 may be formed as a single element if desired in order to reduce the number of parts still further. Likewise, the operation of the resetting mechanism is positive since the end of arm 66 engages the lever 53 and effectively moves it away fromratchet gear 51.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since many modifications may be made, and it is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention having thus been described, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination, an interval timing device and an indexing member for indicating the number of timing operations performed comprising a timing motor, a timing dial having time intervals from zero to a certain value inscribed thereon, a first shaft, an indicator mounted on said shaft at one end thereof and adapted to rotate therewith and over the face of said timing dial, means mounted on said first shaft for effecting energization of said motor when said indicator is moved minutely forwardly from its zero position toward said certain value and to effect deenergization of said motor when said indicator is moved to said zero position, clutch means connecting said timing motor and said first shaft whereby said motor will drive said indicator rearwardly toward its zero position, a second shaft, an indexing dial for indicating the number of timing operations performed mounted on said second shaft at one end thereof for rotation therewith, a ratchet gear mounted on the other end of said second shaft for rotation therewith, a spring biasing said indexing dial and said ratchet gear toward a zero position, a spring biased pawl mounted on said first shaft and adapted to engage said ratchet gear to cause one step of forward movement thereof and of said indexing dial when said ,vent rearward movement of said indexing dial indicator is moved forwardly and to move past said ratchet gear without causing movement thereof when said indicator moves in the rearward direction, a spring biased detent adapted to engage said ratchet gear to prebut permitting forward movement thereof, and means attached to said first shaft and adapted to engage said detent for forcing it away from said ratchet gear upon movement of said indicator rearwardly a predetermined amount past zero on said timing dial.

2. In combination, an interval timing device and an indexing member for indicating the number of timing operations performed, comprising a timing motor, a timing dial having time intervals from zero to a certain value inscribed thereon, a first shaft, an indicator mounted on said shaft at one end thereof and adapted to rotate therewith and over the face of said timing dial, means mounted on said first shaft for effecting energization of said motor when said indicator is moved minutely forwardly from its zero position toward said certain value and to elfect deenergization of said motor when said indicator is moved to said zero position, clutch means connecting said timing motor and said first shaft whereby said motor will drive said indicator rearwardly toward its zero position, a second shaft, an indexing dial for indicating the number of timing operations performed disposed adjacent said timing dial and substantially parallel thereto, said indexing dial being mounted on said second shaft at one end thereof for rotation therewith, a ratchet gear mounted on the other end of said second shaft for rotation therewith, a spring biasing said indexing dial and ratchet gear toward a zero position, means for stopping said indexing dial in said zero position, a spring biased pawl mounted on said first shaft and adapted to engage said ratchet gear to cause one step of forward movement thereof and of said indexing dial when said indicator is moved forwardly and to move past said ratchet gear without causing movement thereof when said indicator moves in the rearward direction, a spring biased detent adapted to engage said ratchet gear to prevent rearward movement of said indexing dial but permitting forward movement thereof, and means attached to said first shaft and adapted to engage said detent for forcing it away from said ratchet gear without movement of said indicator rearwardly a predetermined amount past zero on said timing dial.

3. In combination, an interval timing device and an indexing member for indicating the number of timing operations performed comprising a timing motor, a timing dial having time intervals from zero to a certain value inscribed thereon, a first shaft, an indicator mounted on said shaft at one end thereof and adapted to rotate therewith and over the face of said timing dial, means mounted on said first shaft for effecting energization of said motor when said indicator is moved minutely forwardly from its zero position toward said certain value and to effect deenergization of said motor when said indicator is moved to said zero position, clutch means connecting said timing motor and said first shaft whereby said motor will drive said indicator rearwardly toward its zero position, a second shaft, an indexing dial for indieating the number of timing operations performed disposed adjacent said timing dial and substantially parallel thereto, said indexing dial being mounted on said second shaft at one end thereof for rotation therewith, a ratchet gear mounted on the other end of said second shaft for rotation therewith, a spring biasing said indexing dial and ratchet gear toward a zero position, a spring biased pawl mounted on said first shaft and adapted to engage said ratchet gear to cause one step of forward movement thereof and of said indexing dial when said indicator is moved forwardly and to move past said ratchet gear without causing movement thereof when said indicator moves in the rearward direction, a spring biased detent adapted to engage said ratchet gear to prevent rearward movement of said indexing dial but permitting forward movement thereof, and means attached to said first shaft and adapted to engage said detent for forcing it away from said ratchet gear upon movement of said indicator rearwardly a predetermined amount past zero on said timing dial.

4. In combination,

indexing member for operations performed an interval timing device and an indicating the number of timing comprising a timing motor, a timing dial having time intervals from Zero to a certain value inscribed thereon, a first shaft, an indicator mounted on said shaft at one end thereof and adapted to rotate therewith and over the face of said timing dial, means mounted on said first shaft for effecting energization of said motor when said indicator is moved minutely for wardly from its zero position toward said certain value and to effect deenergization of said motor when said indicator is moved to said zero position, clutch means connecting said timing motor and said first shaft whereby said motor will drive said indicator rearwardly toward its zero position, a second shaft, an indexing dial for indicating the number of timing operations performed mounted on said second shaft at one end thereof for rotation therewith, a spring biasing said indexing member toward a zero position, one way engagement means operative between said first and second shafts to cause one step of forward movement of said second shaft and of said indexing dial when said indicator is moved forwardly and without causing movement thereof when said indicator moves in the rearward direction, detent means for preventing rearward movement of said indexing dial but permitting forward movement thereof, and means attached to said first shaft and adapted to render said detent means ineffectual upon movement of said indicator rearwardly a predetermined amount past zero on said timing dial.

5. In combination, an interval timing device and an indexing member for indicating the number of timing operations performed comprising a timing motor, a timing dial having time intervals from zero to a certain value inscribed thereon, a first shaft, an indicator mounted on said shaft at one end thereof and adapted to rotate therewith and over the face of said timing dial, means mounted on said first shaft for effecting energization of said motor when said indicator is moved minutely forwardly from its zero position toward said certain value and to effect deenergization of said motor when said indicator is moved to said zero position, friction clutch means connecting said timing motor and said first shaft whereby said motor will drive said indicator rearwardly toward its zero position, a second shaft, an indexing dial for indicating the number of timing operations performed disposed adjacent said timing dial and substantially parallel thereto, said indexing dial being mounted on said second shaft at one end thereof for rotation therewith, a ratchet gear mounted on the other end of said second shaft for rotation therewith, a spring biasing said indexing dial and ratchet gear toward a zero position, means for stopping said indexing dial in said zero position, a spring biased pawl mounted on said first shaft and adapted to engage said ratchet gear to cause one step of forward movement thereof and of said indexing dial when saidindicator is moved forwardly and to move past said ratchet gear without causing movement thereof when said indicator moves in the rearward direction, a lever pivoted at one end and being adapted to have its other end engage said ratchet gear to prevent rearward movement of said index but permitting forward movement thereof, spring means biasing said lever to effect said engagement, and means attached to said first shaft and adapted to engage said detent for forcing it away from said ratchet gear upon movement of said indicator rearwardly a predetermined amount past zero on said timing dial.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,368,761 Hogan Feb. 6, 1945 2,661,901 Miller et a1. Dec. 8, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 93,071 Germany July 21, 1897 

